Scottish Premiership | Gameweek 14

Dec 1, 2024 at 12pm UK

McDiarmid Park

St Johnstonevs.Rangers

Match preview

St Johnstone are just four points clear of the bottom two after winning four, drawing two and losing three of their 14 league matches this season.

Simo Valakari has been in charge of seven of the 14 league matches since he was appointed as Craig Levein's permanent successor at the start of October.

After winning two of his first three matches, Valakari saw his side suffer three consecutive defeats. They got back on track with a narrow victory in their most recent outing against Kilmarnock.

Mackenzie Kirk scored his second league goal of the season, condemning Kilmarnock to a 1-0 defeat and sealing St Johnstone's second home win of the Scottish Premiership season.

The Saints were delighted to record their third league clean sheet of the season, which is a great sign for a team that currently has the Scottish Premiership's worst defensive record.

On the other hand, St Johnstone might be more worried about what's going on at the other end of the pitch. They haven't scored in any of their last seven games against Rangers.

Rangers boss Philippe Clement has been under a lot of pressure this season, with his team struggling for consistency in the top flight.

The Gers have dropped points in five of their 14 league matches (two draws, three losses), which has opened up a nine-point gap between them and the leaders, Celtic.

Rangers let two points slip in last Saturday's home match against Dundee United. Despite Vaclav Cerny's second-half equaliser, the Gers couldn't build on it in a 1-1 draw at Ibrox.

While they may have been disappointed with that result, the Gers bounced back with a strong performance to secure a decisive win in Thursday's Europa League match against Ligue 1 side Nice.

Cerny and Mohamed Diomande each scored one goal, and then Hamza Igamane scored two goals to lead his side to an impressive 4-1 victory. This lifted them up to eighth place in the Europa League league phase.

They'll be hoping to build on their success in France as they turn their attention back to the league, but it's far from a done deal. Rangers have only won one of their five away games in the Scottish Premiership this season (D1, L3).

Recent Performance

St Johnstone Scottish Premiership form:WWLLLW

Rangers Scottish Premiership form:WLWLWD

Rangers form (all competitions):LWDWDW

Team News

St Johnstone will be without the injured quartet of Barry Douglas, Cammy MacPherson, Sam McClelland and Uche Ikpeazu.

Valakari might decide to keep the same line-up, which would mean goalkeeper Joshua Rae starting a fourth consecutive league game.

On the other side of the pitch, Benjamin Kimpioka and Nicky Clark are St Johnstone's main attacking threat, having scored 10 of the club's 17 league goals between them this season.

Rangers defender Neraysho Kasanwirjo is set for a spell on the sidelines after picking up a knee injury while he was away with the Netherlands Under-21 side earlier this month.

Oscar Cortes, Tom Lawrence and Rabbi Matondo are all on the mend but won't be ready for Sunday's game.

Igamane could get the nod to make his third league start of the season after netting a brace in Thursday's win over Nice.

Possible starting lineup

St Johnstone possible starting lineup:

Rae; Wright, Sanders, Mikulic, Raymond; Carey, Sprangler, Holt; Kirk, Clark, Kimpioka

Rangers possible starting lineup:

Butland; Sterling, Souttar, Propper, Jefte; Raskin, Barron; Cerny, Diomande, Bajrami; Igamane